§ Mr. HigginsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his proposals for the strengthening of older bridges.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe comprehensive programme for the rehabilitation of bridges on motorways and all-purpose trunk roads will include the assessment and strengthening of older bridges to ensure that they can safely carry modern heavy lorries for the foreseeable future. We repeat the assurances previously given that unless Parliament so decides there will be no increase in the maximum weight of lorries allowed into this country. We could not do this in any case until our roads and bridges could carry the loads. We are proposing a 15-year programme and the most cost effective way of proceeding is to provide for strengthening to cope with lorries up to the EC weight limits of 40 tonnes overall weight and 11.5 tonne axle weights rather than the 38 tonne and 10.5 tonnes, our present limits, which should have no more than a marginal effect on the rehabilitation programme.
We shall be holding discussions with owners of bridges off the national road system to follow up their comments on the results of the bridge census and sample survey which was published in the spring.